Sinterklaas Intocht Elburg
Crowds welcome Sinterklaas and more than 200 pieten as their steamboat arrives at the harbour, preceded by music and dancing with the Kidz-DJ. Sinterklaas then tours the medieval streets on horseback, accompanied by a pieten band, town brass band Concordia, and historic halberdiers. Celebrations continue at the Vischmarkt with stage entertainment, official welcomes by the mayor, and abseiling pieten descending from the Vischpoort.
What to Expect
Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat in the medieval fortified town of Elburg
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Elburg Vesting
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Sinterklaas Intocht Elburg
Food & Drink
Designated pieten carry gluten-free pepernoten, but not every piet has them; no other food or drink options are specified.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive and lively
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Aanvang 14 uur; voorprogramma 14:00–14:30; aankomst stoomboot 14:30–15:00; rondrit op Ozosnel 15:00–15:30; feest op de Vischmarkt 15:30–17:00.
- Parking: Paid parking at signposted locations, payable in cash or by QR code; set your navigation to Elburg and follow the 'Sinterklaas Intocht Elburg' signs.
Tips & Advice
- Get to the Havenkade for the start of the Kidz-DJ pre-programme, so children can dance and sing while they wait for the steamboat to arrive.
- Set your navigation to Elburg and follow the 'Sinterklaas Intocht Elburg' signs to the paid parking, where you can pay in cash or by QR code.
- Look for the special Pieten carrying gluten-free pepernoten if your child needs them, because not every Piet has them.
- Don't plan your route through the Vischpoort, because its doors are closed during the arrival for safety reasons.
- Make your way to the Vischmarkt after the ride through town, where the mayor and youth mayor welcome Sinterklaas before the stage entertainment begins.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens before the steamboat arrives?
The Kidz-DJ runs a pre-programme at the Havenkade by the harbour with dancing and singing while everyone waits for Sinterklaas and his Pieten.
Who joins Sinterklaas on his ride through town?
Sinterklaas rides his horse Amerigo through the medieval streets. A Pieten band, the town band Concordia and the Hellebaardiers walk with the procession.
What happens at the Vischmarkt?
The mayor and the youth mayor welcome Sinterklaas. Then there are performances and other entertainment on the stage, and abseiling Pieten come down from the Vischpoort.
Are there gluten-free pepernoten?
Yes. Some Pieten carry gluten-free pepernoten, but not every Piet does.
What do the Pieten look like?
Only soot-smudged Pieten (roetveegpieten) come to Elburg, as in previous years.
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